Saturday, September 29, 2012

The big news this week is a local story: a longtime fixture of the Auckland arthouse landscape, Academy Cinemas, is changing hands. Outgoing owner John Davies lays out the situation that's led to this turn of events on Facebook; the comment thread contains contributions from both the new owner Andy Miller and Auckland City Council, for those interested in other perspectives. We here wish the best for John and hope that the new Academy continues to bring interesting programming to Auckland's CBD, and can upgrade its facilities to finally bring an arthouse with DCP capacities to central Auckland.

Those looking for further Fantastic Fest wrapups are directed to Complex and their list of the 15 best movies (the top 3 of which were NZFF films!) A film that wasn't on my radar but I'm now decidedly looking forward to is VANISHING WAVES; the very, very NSFW trailer is below.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

For a full listing of screen times across Auckland, Flicks or the theatre website is probably your best bet. Double-check before attending, as times change, we make mistakes, etc. Please mention anything we've forgotten in the comments, and tell us if you've found any off-the-beaten path must-sees!

CURRENT RELEASES:

* Fantastic Fest is winding up in the States, but two of its most beloved features have already arrived. First up, TAI CHI 0 from the guy behind 2005's HOUSE OF FURY. Starring Tony Leung (the one from ELECTION / DUMPLINGS, not the 2046 / INFERNAL AFFAIRS / RED CLIFF one), Shu Qi (Statham's girl in THE TRANSPORTER & literally the Muse in THE STORM RIDERS) and very possibly Peter Stormare?? That's up for debate, as he's listed as "(rumored)" in IMDB and our spy on the ground who's seen the film can't remember ... what we DO know is that part 2 (TAI CHI HERO) is only a few weeks away!

* Also, the hugely-anticipated LOOPER arrives! Joseph Gordon-Levitt's hitman goes up against his future self, played by Bruce Willis. Not only was Rian Johnson's first foray into science-fiction a hit at Fantastic Fest, but he tore down the house with his karaoke skills:

* Returning from NZFF: WHERE DO WE GO NOW?, which sees women of different religions in a remote Lebanese village join together to invent schemes preventing their men from killing one another. In all honesty, I thought this sounded dopey (in a FULL MONTY kinda way), but our pals over at The Listener informed us not to miss this film!

* The Italian Film Festival starts this week. We'll be honest: apart from CINEMA PARADISO, we have no idea what to recommend (this ain't the Australian version, the Lavazza Italian Fest you'll find reviewed over at The Film Emporium). We've consulted several film experts and they've all drawn blanks as well. But undoubtedly there's some treasures in the mix? Conspiracy thriller THE JEWEL features Toni Servillo (of CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE, GOMORRAH, and IL DIVO fame), who's always reliable; other options include a remake of GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER, one of WELCOME TO THE STICKS, an Alzheimer's drama and three films with "Love" in the title. Plus Robert DeNiro is on the Festival poster. Note that all films are being shown at Rialto in the e-cinema format only.

* The Devonport Picture Palace is easing into its return to full-time operation with several films for kids and seniors; they seem to have also locked in a "Doc Spot" on Sunday nights, this week featuring THE LAST OCEAN.

* The Monterey has 2008 Italian meanderer MID-AUGUST LUNCHas their weekly Monterey Abroad screening; Friday 6:30 PM. They also have a second screening of the 1934 Fred & Ginger vehicle SHALL WE DANCE at 2:10 PM Sunday.* This month's free Japanese film is BRAVE STORY, an anime from 2006, screened in tandem with a short documentary about the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 called SETTING SAIL FROM THE RUINS. First film at 6:50PM.

*Remember Shakespeare? A recording of the recent stage production of ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL has a few screenings around town at the moment (but I can't find it on IMDB, so its importance is...um...). Check Hoyts or Bridgeway for screenings or check the link below to see Rowan Atkinson & Hugh Laurie argue about whether Hamlet is too wordy or not:

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Toronto is over, and NZ/Aus distribution announcements are starting to trickle in; Madman's releasing BUBBA HO-TEP director Don Coscarelli's new film JOHN DIES AT THE END, whilst Palace is distributing THE END OF TIME and STORIES WE TELL, both of which made The Star's top films of the fest. Completist film nerds (like, um, me) will want to see IndieWire's list of Toronto acquisitions, which is North American-centric but still a good cue as to which films are getting traction.

There's a bazillion TIFF wrap-up pieces around the web, but people whose tastes veer to the artsy should check out Darren Hughes and his day-by-day diary. He's only up to day 4, so keep posted as he catches up - so far, he's convinced me that BIG IN VIETNAM is worth looking out for.

Meanwhile, in Austin, Texas, Fantastic Fest is in full swing. Gawk at the program here (our picks that we pray get picked up down here: WRONG, BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO, THE AMERICAN SCREAM, THE DOOMSDAY BOOK, EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY, THE EXORCIST IN THE 21ST CENTURY, VANISHING WAVES, and Kiwi co-pro THE ABC'S OF DEATH), or shake your fist with jealousy as NZ's own inveterate film geeks Andrew Todd and Steve Austin experience the chaos and joy firsthand.

Another Fantastic Fest title is Rian Johnson's hotly anticipated LOOPER, a time travel film that precipitated Aaron Yap's list of top-ten time travel films at Flicks. It's the rare slideshow that I actually clicked to the end of, despite its failure to feature one of the most pivotal time-travel films of all time, Rich Christiano's TIME CHANGER.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

For a full listing of screen times across Auckland, Flicks or the theatre website is probably your best bet. Double-check before attending, as times change, we make mistakes, etc. Please mention anything we've forgotten in the comments, and tell us if you've found any off-the-beaten path must-sees!

CURRENT RELEASES:

* The genius who wrote last year's 3D SEX AND ZEN: EXTREME ECSTASY is back with a Hong Kong sex-comedy DUE WEST: MY SEX JOURNEY, once again in 3D at Sylvia Park Hoyt's this week. Plus, the latest release from India arrives this Friday in the form of HEROINE that chronicles the life of a fading starlet.

* Despite divided reviews, many people will be queueing to see the surreal indie romcom RUBY SPARKS - perhaps because it's from the directors of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, or because it stars Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan (who also co-wrote the script, which she wants you to know is not about Manic Pixie Dream Girls).

* Indy/Spielberg fans; Hoyts Sylvia Park (amongst other locations in the country) screens RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK at 8:00PM Sunday 23rd. Their recent screenings (JURASSIC PARK, E.T., JAWS) have all looked great. And it's a great excuse to link to the first ten minutes of the full-length RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: THE ADAPTATION.

* A one-off screening for you lucky Pukekohe punters. A young lady discovers that she survived an abortion attempt in the Christian drama OCTOBER BABY. More importantly, the poster reveals that the original Bo Duke shows up too! 6:45PM Monday 24th at Pukekohe Cinema 3.

* If anti-abortion films aren't your thing, maybe heartwarming tales of Aboriginal singing groups overcoming racism during Vietnam with the touching comic relief of Chris O'Dowd are? Hopefully both aren't, because Rialto's hosting a competing screening of THE SAPPHIRES with director Wayne Blair in attendance on Monday as well (at 6:00PM).

* And speaking of sports, Rialto also has PREMIERE OF THE 2012 SPEIGHT'S COAST TO COAST on Sunday "featuring the two day and one day races with spectacular kayaking and mountain running footage". 6:00PM & 7:45PM Sunday 23rd at Rialto Newmarket.

* This year's Italian Film Festival is only a week away. We'll have our picks in next week's update (and let us know what you're anticipating!), but the Opening Night film is WELCOME TO THE SOUTH, the 2010 remake of the 2008 French comedy WELCOME TO THE STICKS. It's about a postal worker who is not happy to be transferred to what he imagines will be a dirty mafia-ridden town. Cinema 1 & 2 have pretty much sold out, but there are tickets still available in a 3rd cinema, 7:00PM Wednesday 26th at Rialto Newmarket.

* The Victoria Picture Palace are screening the documentaries WHO WAS HERE BEFORE US? and THE AGE OF STUPID this Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, Vanessa Clarke's short documentary BERTHING THE KESTREL about the Devonport Ferry will be looping certain mornings.

Another high-profile documentary at Toronto you'll be hearing a lot about is THE ART OF KILLING, where Joshua Oppenheimer has gangsters involved in mass killings recreate their crimes on screen. Bryce Renninger's IndieWire interview with Oppenheimer gets into this uncomfortable tactic.

In addition to reporting on the Toronto International Film Festival and bashing Venice award-winning filmmaker Kim Ki-Duk, CinemaScope has also released the latest issue of their print magazine; excerpts are online, including Jonathan Rosenbaum's DVD column.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

For a full listing of screen times across Auckland, Flicks or the theatre website is probably your best bet. Double-check before attending, as times change, we make mistakes, etc. Please mention anything we've forgotten in the comments, and tell us if you've found any off-the-beaten path must-sees!

CURRENT RELEASES:
* Three returning NZFF films topline this week's new releases. The word is split on ON THE ROAD, Walter Salles' adaptation of Jack Kerouac's groundbreaking Beat Generation memoir/novel. Regardless of whether you're in the market for this literary adaptation or not, any excuse is a good excuse to hear William S. Burroughs and Kurt Cobain together.

* YOUR SISTER'S SISTER, also from NZFF 2012, is the latest film from indie American filmmaker Lynn Shelton. Emily Blunt, Rosemarie Dewitt, and Mark Duplass topline the cast in another emotionally raw, uncomfortably funny film from the maker of HUMPDAY.

* A third NZFF film, Kiwi documentary THE LAST OCEAN, profiles the overfishing of the Ross Sea. In addition to regular screenings, there's a Friday night screening at Rialto with director Q&A, and two screenings Thursday at Bridgeway with Q&A as well.

* HEADHUNTERS, a sly unpredictable Norwegian thriller adapted from a Jo Nesbo book, was a highlight of this past summer; now, a second Nesbo adaptation, JACKPOT, arrives, along with the promise of more blood, crime, and dark fun.

* The most promising Asian film of the week in our humble opinion is WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE, a Taiwanese tale of an indigneous tribe defending themselves against foreign invasion. Twitch has given the film a big thumbs up, so this 2 1/2 hour epic might turn out to be well worth your time if you've the stomach for R18 graphic violence. Also opening are two Indian films: Bollywood romantic comedy BARFI! and Punjabi romantic comedy DIL TENU KARDA HAI PYAAR.

* The doldrums of winter between school holidays are when the studios flush out their R-rated films that they don't think there's much audience for. But if you want to take a chance, maybe RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION, SAVAGES, or THE WATCH are good. Maybe.

Other films of note still in release include HOW FAR IS HEAVEN, MARGARET, I WISH, BERNIE, GOD BLESS AMERICA, THE LAST DOGS OF WINTER, and MOONRISE KINGDOM.

REPERTORY/ONE-OFF SCREENINGS:
* Kiwi filmmaker David Blyth invades the Academy this week as part of their sex season with his documentary BOUND FOR PLEASURE. (Link not safe for work, probably.)

* This Monday at Auckland Film Society at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket: ADDICTED TO LOVE, not the barely-remembered Matthew Broderick/Meg Ryan comedy, but a 2010 Chinese drama directed by Liu Hao.

* I'm still gutted I missed Wim Wenders' doco PINA in 3D last year; it's screening at 3:30 PM on Monday the 17th at Bridgeway. They also have a screening of the aforementioned AFRICA UNITED on Tuesday the 18th at 8:00 PM.

* Fred & Ginger season continues at Monterey Cinemas with TOP HAT on Sunday at 2:10 PM and THE GAY DIVORCEE on Wednesday at 12:30 on the 19th. They're also sneaking in the 2005 Spanish/Argentinian romance ELSA AND FRED on Friday night at 6:30 PM.

* Those who prefer epic romance are directed to Berkeley Mission Bay for DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, Sunday at 6:00 PM.

* Speilberg month continues at Hoyt's Sylvia Park on Sunday night at 8:00 pm with E.T. We here at Auckland Cinephile have fond memories of the horrible Atari 2600 game, millions of cartridges of which are now buried in the desert.

* This Sunday at the Polish Heritage Museum in Howick: a double feature of documentaries, BLOODY FOREIGNERS: THE UNTOLD BATTLE OF BRITAIN and GLADIATORS OF WORLD WAR 2: FREE POLISH FORCES.

* The Auckland Art Gallery continues its free screenings this Sunday at 2:30 with LITTLE POLYNESIA, which appears to be a program of shorts that takes its name from a 1973 short of the same name.

* Documentaries this Saturday and Sunday night in Devonport at The Vic: THE YES MEN SAVE THE WORLD and a double feature of PLANET ALDABRA - NO MAN'S LAND and THE SHARK FEEDERS.

* And last but not least, for all the Papakura residents in the house: NZFF 2012 documentary MAORI BOY GENIUS plays at the Hawkins Theatre on Thursday at 7:30 PM.

This week's must-watch isn't a trailer per se, but an absolutely jaw-dropping clip from the commercial fishing documentary LEVIATHAN (screening this week at Toronto). I've watched it three times and still have no idea how it was done, but it's now up with THE MASTER on my must-see list.

One of my favorite writers on film, Michael Sicinski, has a special talent for talking about avant-garde cinema intelligently but not pretentiously, and has started a column on the titans (durationally speaking) of arthouse cinema and what it means to watch them in a home-screening era: his first column, on Peter Greenaway's THE FALLS, is now online.

FROM THE JOURNALS OF JEAN SEBERG was one of the key films in my early filmgoing history that changed my understanding of what a film could be. Its filmmaker Mark Rappaport is now experiencing the horror of having all the masters of his films effectively held hostage by the film professor who promised to take care of them: the whole sad story, or at least Rappaport's side, is here.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Auckland Cinephile is a guide to the various arthouse and retrospective releases of the week that in our highly subjective opinion are worth mentioning. Listing doesn't guarantee a theatre will follow through with their plans, or I might have fucked up, so double check before going. For a full listing of screen times across Auckland, Flicks or the theatre website is probably your best bet. If you think we've forgotten something, please mention it in the comments. Suggestions for improved formatting also welcomed.CURRENT RELEASES:
* This week's featured returning title from the New Zealand Film Festival is THE LAST DOGS OF WINTER. Kiwi Costa Botes looks at the hardships surrounding Canadian Eskimo dogs in the polar bear capital of the world. Playing twice daily at Rialto Newmarket.

* Another Kiwi offering this week is the return of Grant Lahood's INTERSEXION from this year's DocEdge Festival. The film follows Mani Bruce Mitchell traveling to meet other intersex people around the world. Part of Academy Cinema's Season Of Sex, probably playing for one week only.

* In foreign-language film releases: WUNDERKINDER hits arthouses, a German film about three talented child musicians set during WWII, while the multiplexes host the 3D Bollywood Horror sequel, RAAZ 3.

* After two teaser screenings, Bobcat Goldthwait's GOD BLESS AMERICA is now playing four times a day at Academy. Starring one of Bill Murray's brothers and a fair amount of blood. Also going into regular release across Auckland: the Maggie Gyllenhaal vibrator comedy HYSTERIA, Dax Shepard's love-letter to Smokey and the Bandit HIT AND RUN, and a 3-D re-release of Pixar's FINDING NEMO.

Overlooked in previous editions:
* EK THA TIGER is described by Fantastic Fest programmer Rodney Perkins thusly: "Ek Tha Tiger is utterly ridiculous. It is like a composite of 6 completely different movies. It is also awesome." This is what we at Auckland Cinephile consider to be a strong endorsement.

* LIFE IN MOVEMENT, a documentary about Sydney Dance Company director Tanja Liedtke and the tour of her works after her untimely death at age 29. Played DocEdge earlier this year.

Continuing in release are the following festival films:
* HOW FAR IS HEAVEN, the acclaimed NZ documentary
* MARGARET, directed by Kenneth Lonergan (YOU CAN COUNT ON ME) and starring Anna Paquin
* MOONRISE KINGDOM, the latest Wes Anderson film
* I WISH, directed by Hirokazu Kore-Eda (STILL WALKING, AFTER LIFE)
* BERNIE, directed by Richard Linklater (SLACKER, BEFORE SUNRISE)

REPERTORY / ONE-OFF SCREENINGS:
* Sylvia Park Hoyts is playing some Spielberg films over the next few weeks; JAWS begins the series Sunday 9th at 8pm, presented in a restored 2K DCP version with 7.1 sound. The perfect way to see this lovely romantic comedy.

* Howick's Monterey begins its small Fred & Ginger season on Wednesday 12th 12:30pm with the first of two screenings of TOP HAT. Also, the quiet 2008 French comedy drama CONVERSATIONS WITH MY GARDENER plays their Monterey Abroad slot 6:30pm Friday 7th.

* First Friday of the month means only one thing: another rowdy screening of Tommy Wiseau's THE ROOM at the Academy, 10:30pm Fri 7th.

* The Auckland Art Gallery has two free weekend screenings: Mu-Ming Tsai's documentary DESIGN & THINKING at 2pm on Saturday 8th, and HOME AKL: 4 SHORT FILMS BY POPO LILO (followed by a Q&A) at 3pm on Sunday 9th.

* The Victoria Picture Palace has another two documentaries screening this weekend; Robin Kewell will be there to present THE GARDENING OF EDEN (6pm), plus THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN will play after it (8:15pm), on both Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th.

* Turns out that the Polish Heritage Trust Museum in Howick hosts weekly screenings: this week it's the 2005 made-for-TV drama KAROL: A MAN WHO BECAME POPE, Sunday 9th 2pm.

* And in advance of its release, TWO LITTLE BOYS has two different Q&A screenings next week: one with the leads Bret McKenzie & Hamish Blake at 6:30pm Wednesday 12th at Event Cinemas Queen St, and the other at Rialto Newmarket at 6:15pm Thursday, this one with Robert & Duncan Sarkies, who wrote & directed the film.